MLB Off-season discussion

vinny-b · Post by **vinny-b** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 1:04 pm

jLp vAkEr0 wrote:
vinny-b wrote:funny. Dotel was a more important signing, than Damon.
Only if his back to 100% from surgery.

true, javy.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 3:24 pm

Can anyone explain to me why the Cubs replaced Corey Patterson with an older, more expensive, slightly upgraded version of Corey Patterson?

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 3:29 pm

Brando70 wrote:Can anyone explain to me why the Cubs replaced Corey Patterson with an older, more expensive, slightly upgraded version of Corey Patterson?

Nope, can't explain why they acquired a player with a poor on base percentage who's extremely strike out prone. IMO, the Cubs way over paid.

Then again, explain to me why the Cards signed a pitcher who's had repeated problems with DWI along with disputes with his pitching coach as well as ignoring the media. Talk about a PR nightmare.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 3:38 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Nope, can't explain why they acquired a player with a poor on base percentage who's extremely strike out prone. IMO, the Cubs way over paid.

As I mentioned earlier, Jacque is an extreme ground ball hitter who tries to hit a homer every time he swings. Awesome combination. Expect a lot of GIDP...Then there's his arm. Above average strength with horrible accuracy. Just wait until he uncorks one into the 3rd row or drills it into the ground 3 ft in front of him.

You never question his effort, at least.

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 4:50 pm

I have some hope for Jones. He said he pressed a lot with Hunter out of the lineup last year. The Cubs were also deadset on getting another left-handed bat in the lineup. I guess their options were somewhat limited.

To me, Corey Patterson is the definition of a guy needing a change of scenery. Has a lot of tools, but something is just not working for him in a Cubs uniform.

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 6:15 pm

Jacque Jones isn't going to produce what you'd like from a corner OF slot, but it's not a bad signing. The Cubs don't have better options there and they have the money to eat a 3yr/$16M contract. Jones is less than half the cost of Johnny Damon.

If Dave Duncan can turn around Sid Ponson's career, he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize or at least the admiration from every bouncer in Aruba.

I don't understand the Adam Eaton trade at all. He's a free agent after this year and has to be salivating over all the deals that mediocre pitchers have been getting this offseason. Chris Young is as good and much cheaper.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 6:37 pm

sfz_T-car wrote:Jacque Jones isn't going to produce what you'd like from a corner OF slot, but it's not a bad signing. The Cubs don't have better options there and they have the money to eat a 3yr/$16M contract. Jones is less than half the cost of Johnny Damon.

If Dave Duncan can turn around Sid Ponson's career, he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize or at least the admiration from every bouncer in Aruba.

I don't understand the Adam Eaton trade at all. He's a free agent after this year and has to be salivating over all the deals that mediocre pitchers have been getting this offseason. Chris Young is as good and much cheaper.

Jones is much less than half the player as well, so that's only appropriate.

The money isn't as bad as the duration. There can't be anyone alive who wants this stiff in your OF at 5 million a year and at 33 years old. This was a stupid, stupid signing. A 17 VORP corner OF who's 30 for 3yrs at that price is stupid.

I like Hendry a lot, but this off-season has been his death warrant IMO. He would've been better off spending this money locking Prior and Zambrano up long term and before they put together full healthy seasons again rather than overspending for mediocrities like Eyre and Jones.

SF, I agree with you on all counts about Ponson

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:57 pm

Jones' +17 VORP is at least 18 points better than Mabry or Hairston. I think the jury is out on Matt Murton. He never hit for much power in the minors and he isn't really a right fielder. Dusty will probably find some way to derail his career.

Hey, there aren't many MLB outfields that Giants fans can scoff at.

jondiehl · Post by **jondiehl** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 8:04 pm

sportdan30 wrote: Then again, explain to me why the Cards signed a pitcher who's had repeated problems with DWI along with disputes with his pitching coach as well as ignoring the media. Talk about a PR nightmare.

No doubt. What's next, getting Lawrence Phillips phone number from the Rams staff to see if he can play any left field?

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 11:27 pm

jondiehl wrote:
sportdan30 wrote: Then again, explain to me why the Cards signed a pitcher who's had repeated problems with DWI along with disputes with his pitching coach as well as ignoring the media. Talk about a PR nightmare.
No doubt. What's next, getting Lawrence Phillips phone number from the Rams staff to see if he can play any left field?

Or signing Brendan Looper to a 3yr deal.

Oh wait....

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 9:58 am

I will be physically ill if the Cubs trade Prior for Tejada.

Whatever happened to Hendry's guarantee that Zambrano or Prior were untouchable? He's gone on record several times saying this.

rubba19 · Post by **rubba19** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 12:10 pm

sportdan30 wrote:
Brando70 wrote:Can anyone explain to me why the Cubs replaced Corey Patterson with an older, more expensive, slightly upgraded version of Corey Patterson?
Nope, can't explain why they acquired a player with a poor on base percentage who's extremely strike out prone. IMO, the Cubs way over paid.

Then again, explain to me why the Cards signed a pitcher who's had repeated problems with DWI along with disputes with his pitching coach as well as ignoring the media. Talk about a PR nightmare.

Because Dave Duncan thinks he can perform his magic on anyone. Sometimes, it even works.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:31 pm

jLp vAkEr0 wrote:
jondiehl wrote:
sportdan30 wrote: Then again, explain to me why the Cards signed a pitcher who's had repeated problems with DWI along with disputes with his pitching coach as well as ignoring the media. Talk about a PR nightmare.
No doubt. What's next, getting Lawrence Phillips phone number from the Rams staff to see if he can play any left field?
Or signing Brendan Looper to a 3yr deal.

Oh wait....

Who's this Brendan Looper you speak of? His younger brother? If that's the case, I wouldn't have signed him to a 3 year deal.

In all seriousness, I'm excited to have Braden Looper back with the Cards. Ridiculous money for a reliever? Yes. But that's the going rate these days and I still believe he's better than Tavarez. He does have some closing experience should Izzy get hurt like he always does.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:33 pm

Cards are going after Junior Spivey and possibly Juan Encarnacion. Not bad, not bad. Better options than Aaron Miles and Larry Bigby.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 3:53 pm

What the Cardinals owners did to their fans this offseason was downright wrong. The owners got the new stadium they wanted to provide them with the funds they so desperately need to stay competetive and then they don't spend any money but instead look for bargains.
f*** BILL DEWITT AND THE CARDINALS ORGANIZATION!!!

GO ROYALS!

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 8:14 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Cards are going after Junior Spivey and possibly Juan Encarnacion. Not bad, not bad. Better options than Aaron Miles and Larry Bigby.

Done deal with Junior and Juan. Good pick-ups in my estimation.

CincyKid · Post by **CincyKid** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 11:33 pm

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Dec 25, 2005 9:55 pm

BlueJays are making noise again. A deal with Arizona is in the works where T. Glaus would go tot Toronto in a trade with M. Batista and O. Hudson. Where he fits into the Blue Jays puzzle is another matter.

While moving Hudson opens up second base for Aaron Hill, they still have five men - Glaus, Overbay, Corey Koskie of Anola, Man., Eric Hinske and Shea Hillenbrand - to play first, third and possibly DH.

Hillenbrand, an all-star last season, would be the easiest to deal. He's expected to command around $5 million in his final year of salary arbitration before becoming eligible for free agency.

Hood · Post by **Hood** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 3:11 pm

There's comedy, there's high comedy and there's Red Sox fans falling all over themselves trying to prove that the Damon pick up was somehow bad for the Yanks. It's actually rather pathetic if you ask me.

On another baseball note, what's up with these Mark Prior to the Orioles rumors? I mean really, how on earth could the Cubs deal Prior? I know he's had some troubles with injuries, but sheesh, he's gotta be the best (if not one of the top three) young arm(s) in the game.

What gives?

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:12 pm

Hood wrote:There's comedy, there's high comedy and there's Red Sox fans falling all over themselves trying to prove that the Damon pick up was somehow bad for the Yanks. It's actually rather pathetic if you ask me.

On another baseball note, what's up with these Mark Prior to the Orioles rumors? I mean really, how on earth could the Cubs deal Prior? I know he's had some troubles with injuries, but sheesh, he's gotta be the best (if not one of the top three) young arm(s) in the game.

What gives?

I'm not a red sox fan but I don't consider it that big of a move. It reminds me of when they got giambi and all those other guys a few year back and still didnt get to the series. It may help them win the division, but I dont think signing Damon will get them to the Series.

Hood · Post by **Hood** » Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:06 pm

Inuyasha wrote:I'm not a red sox fan but I don't consider it that big of a move. It reminds me of when they got giambi and all those other guys a few year back and still didnt get to the series. It may help them win the division, but I dont think signing Damon will get them to the Series.

No centerfielder, no lead-off hitter and they kill those two birds (in the form of an all-star) with one stone. Very solid move. Will it win them a championship? Impossible to say. I mean really, who could they bring in that would guarantee a championship? There are way too many variable for that type of stuff, one of which is luck. Does this make their chances of bringing home #27 significantly better? I say yes.

But my main point is that a large segment of the RSN seems to be showing their asses in all their sour grapes glory on this one. Precisely the same type of garbage they pulled with A-Rod (who I can't stand by the way).

Sport73 · Post by **Sport73** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 12:02 am

The idea of Damon on the Yankees just bugs me. I don't fault him or the Yanks for the move, but it's a depressing reminder that the role of sportsfan in today's world is to cheer for a uniform, not the players.

Damon embodied the Red Sox spirit, the spirit that brought us the Championship. He will be missed. My beloved Sox are now a team without a clear identity.

Hood · Post by **Hood** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 12:06 am

Sport73 wrote:The idea of Damon on the Yankees just bugs me. I don't fault him or the Yanks for the move, but it's a depressing reminder that the role of sportsfan in today's world is to cheer for a uniform, not the players.

Damon embodied the Red Sox spirit, the spirit that brought us the Championship. He will be missed. My beloved Sox are now a team without a clear identity.

Hey Sport 73, that's en entirely fair, well-reasoned, measured analysis. Are you sure you're a Red Sox fan?

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 12:08 am

I think a rotation of Johnson, Mussina, and Pavano will bring the Yankees a championship just like I need more COWBELL!!!

Hood · Post by **Hood** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 12:10 am

Zlax45 wrote:I think a rotation of Johnson, Mussina, and Pavano will bring the Yankees a championship just like I need more COWBELL!!!

Is that supposed to make sense or be funny? I'm legitimately confused. Would you mind helping me out?